66 pages • 2 hours read
A Little Life
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Book Brief
720
Novel • Fiction
New York City • Contemporary
2015
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara follows the lives of four college friends in New York City, primarily focusing on Jude St. Francis, a lawyer grappling with a traumatic childhood. As Jude's career prospers, his past continually haunts him, revealing cycles of abuse and self-harm. The narrative explores themes of friendship, suffering, and the impact of past trauma on present life. Topics include sexual abuse and self-harm.
Dark
Emotional
Melancholic
Challenging
Heartwarming
Reviews & Readership
793,006 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Yanagihara's A Little Life is a deeply emotional novel that delves into themes of trauma, friendship, and survival. Readers praised its compelling narrative and complex characters, highlighting its raw emotional depth. However, some found its relentless depiction of suffering overwhelming and its length daunting. Overall, it's a powerful but polarizing read.
Who Should Read A Little Life?
A reader who would enjoy A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara typically appreciates intense, character-driven narratives and emotional complexity, akin to fans of Donna Tartt's The Goldfinch and Jeffrey Eugenides' The Marriage Plot. This reader seeks deep explorations of friendship, trauma, and resilience.
793,006 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
720
Novel • Fiction
New York City • Contemporary
2015
Adult
18+ years
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